Free Nelson Mandela, Political sculpture in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, US
Free Nelson Mandela is a 16-foot-tall granite and iron structure featuring vertical bars topped with barbed wire, creating a stark image of imprisonment. A functional gate made from colored bars forms part of the design.
Created in 1987 by artist David Hammons while Nelson Mandela remained imprisoned in South Africa, the sculpture served as a call for his freedom. The gate was symbolically unlocked after his release in 1990 and has stayed open ever since.
This work connects visitors to a global struggle that unfolded far away but resonated deeply here through public art. The colored bars and open gate tell a story about solidarity and shared human values.
The sculpture sits about 50 yards from the Charles Allen Drive entrance of the park, accessible along the Oak Hill walking trail on the eastern side. It's easy to reach on foot and sits in a natural, open part of the park.
The gate was originally locked as a representation of Mandela's imprisonment, with the artist providing a key to be used upon his release. When that moment arrived in 1990, city officials used that exact key to open the gate, which has remained unlocked ever since.
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